10 Common Plumbing Challenges Solved by Modern Toolkits

Whether it’s a leaking pipe or a stubborn clog, plumbing issues can quickly spiral out of control. That’s because they can cause sewage backups, slow drains, low water pressure, burst pipes, and damaged pipe fittings.

Earlier, plumbers would use pipe wrenches, manual snakes, and trial and error to figure out the source of these problems. They would then fix the issue. However, this diagnosis would lead to a waste of time and cause other issues. 

But that is not the case anymore. Modern plumbing tool kits have transformed the way professionals diagnose and solve these problems. Let’s take an in-depth look below. 

Which 10 Plumbing Challenges Do Modern Plumbing Toolkits Solve?

Modern plumbing tool kits help plumbers solve plumbing challenges like frequent pipe leaks, repetitive drain clogs, and low water pressure. Some other issues are a faulty water heater, worn-out fixtures, burst or frozen pipes, septic backflow, and damaged pipe fittings.

These tools also help plumbers work easily on unknown homes and inconsistent shower performance. 

1. Frequent Pipe Leaks

Frequent pipe leaks are caused by damaged rubber seals, corroded pipes, damaged pipe joints, and clogged pipes.

The rubber seals ensure that the appliances to which the pipes are attached remain watertight. However, over time, these seals get degraded, which leads to water leakage. 

Pipes get corroded over time due to the influence of constant water pressure and oxygen. This is also why pipe joints get damaged over time. Pipes get clogged due to sewage backing up or obstructions. 

Whatever the reason, pipe leaks can increase water damage and increase your utility bills. 

Which Modern Plumbing Tools Help Plumbers Deal With Frequent Pipe Leaks and How?

Plumbers use basic plumbing tools like pipe inspection cameras, pipe clamps, and PEX crimps to deal with pipe leaks. 

Plumbers use pipe inspection cameras to study the cause of the leakage. Their LED lights, 4K imaging, HD resolution, self-leveling resolutions, and pan-and-tilt capabilities ensure that plumbers can study the leaks effectively. 

They use plumbing press tools like PEX crimper tools to replace the damaged pipe portions with new pipes. Before they crimp the pipes, they cut away the damaged portions with pipe-cutting tools. After they crimp or attach new pipes, they use pipe clamps, which ensure that the newly attached pipes remain in place and do not get displaced.

2. Persistent Drain Clogs

People’s drains often get clogged due to the presence of debris like vegetable clippings, hair, soap suds, and grease. These substances slow the water flow through the pipes and eventually lead to the drains getting clogged. 

The grease can trap the hair and other particulates further, which further slows down the water pressure. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use plumbing tools like a power auger, a handheld drain snake, and hydro jetters to tackle this issue. 

They use power augers or motorized drain snakes to clear severe blockages from drains. These blockages include grease, hair, and soap suds. Power augers are generally used for more complex pipe systems. 

Plumbers use handheld drain snake tools for plumbing to remove clogs from drains in your home, such as those in sinks. Hydro jetters are tools that plumbers use to pressure wash and forcefully remove stubborn blockage sources. 

3. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is caused by blockages in the drains, damaged or misaligned pipe joints, or improperly functioning valves. 

Damaged or misaligned pipe joints lead to a difference in water pressure, since the water has to change direction. Improperly functioning valves are unable to control the water pressure accurately.

The reduced water pressure affects daily tasks like washing hands and clothes, and so on. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use tools like pressure tester kits and adjustable wrenches to deal with low water pressure. 

The pressure tester kits allow plumbers to accurately measure and study the water pressure. For instance, household pipes have a water pressure of between 40 and 80 Pounds Per Square Inch. However, a pressure lower than that can signal leaks. 

After detecting the pressure, plumbers use adjustable wrenches to gently apply pressure and correctly align the pipe joints. 

4. Faulty Water Heaters

Faulty water heaters are another serious issue that many homeowners face. For instance, over 70% of heaters fail before they reach 12 years of age. 

The reasons behind this are improperly functioning or damaged valves and sediment buildup. Damaged or improperly functioning valves reduce the quantity of water that is converted into hot water. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use voltage testers and thermal cameras to deal with faulty water heaters. They also use pipe pliers and adjustable wrenches. 

They use thermal cameras to check for the sources of the leakage by measuring the temperature of various components. 

Voltage testers are tools with the help of which plumbers use to check whether the heater’s wires have been disconnected. After detecting these parameters, they get to work. They use pipe pliers to loosen the pipes and twist the wires and rods. They use wrenches to loosen pipes and their fittings. 

5. Worn-Out Fixtures

Worn-out fixtures refer to fixtures like faucets and showerheads that experience wear and tear over time. When these fixtures wear out, you might observe water leaking from them or reduced water pressure.

These fixtures get worn out due to mineral deposits, constant water pressure, corroded valves, and worn-out washers. 

The washers get worn out due to the water pressure and mineral deposits. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use tools like basin wrenches, Teflon tapes, and cartridge tools to deal with worn-out fixtures. 

They use basin wrenches to remove the nuts and bolts from inaccessible regions in the faucet. This ensures that you don’t have to get your entire sink removed if you want to fix your faucet. 

Cartridge tools refer to specialty plumbing tools used to remove and replace faucets and showerheads. They use the Teflon tape to create a tight seal between the showerheads and their inner fittings. Teflon tapes are also used to seal pipe fittings, so that the water does not leak through the pipes.

6. Frozen and Burst Pipes

Frozen or burst pipes are caused by the cold weather and water expansion. The cold weather freezes the pipes, causing water to freeze inside, expand, and eventually burst. You can observe cracks on them, assuming that they do not burst. 

Modern Plumbing Solving this Problem

Plumbers use tools like thaw machines, heat cables, and tapes to deal with frozen pipes. They use pipe cutters and crimpers to deal with broken pipes.

They plug one end of the machine into the frozen pipes and another into the unfrozen pipes and turn it on. When the machine is powered on, it sends low-voltage electrical currents.

These currents generate heat, which gradually begins to melt the ice. The melted water comes into contact with the remnant frozen ice and gradually melts it too.

Heating cables are electrically insulated cables that either provide a constant or auto-regulating source of heat. Plumbers use these cables to keep your pipes warm. You can also ask them to attach these cables to electrical points in your property.

Heating tapes are tapes that perform the same function as heating cables. These tapes can withstand temperatures of up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

If your pipe is cracked, plumbers will first use pipe-cutting tools to cut away the broken or cracked portions and shave off the rough edges. They will then use pipe crimpers to attach new pipes in place of the broken ones.

7. Backflow Issues

Backflow takes place due to clogged septic tanks or the presence of debris like hair and grease. When water flows back through the drains or pipes, it can contaminate the area and lead to health issues. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use tools like vacuum breakers, air gaps, and check valves to deal with backflow. Check valves regulate water flow in a fixed direction. 

Vacuum breakers belong to the list of tools for plumbing that restrict the flow of sewage or contaminated water by cutting off the air supply. This leads to a break in the vacuum, thereby robbing the water of the source of its pressure. 

Air gaps stop contaminated materials from entering the sink. This prevents unwanted illness due to contaminated water. Plumbers also use wrenches to regularly maintain these devices and tighten joints if necessary.

8. Loose or Damaged Pipe Fittings

Pipe fittings get damaged due to excessive water pressure, corrosion, and malfunctioning valves. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use power-operated or plumbing hand tools, like manual pipe threaders, die heads, and pipe reamers, to deal with damaged or loose pipe fittings. 

First, plumbers use pipe-cutting tools to cut away the damaged pipe fittings. 

They then use the pipe threading machine to create threads on the pipe, which is to be affixed to the damaged portion. First, they cut those pipes to size with pipe-cutting tools. Then, they use pipe reamers to shave off any burrs or rough edges. 

After that, they use the pipe threading machine to create threads or grooves on the pipe. These grooves ensure that the new pipe can be easily inserted into the cut portion of the old, damaged pipe. 

Plumbers use the die heads to create these grooves after fixing the pipes in the machine.

9. Inconsistent Water Pressure in Showers 

Inconsistent shower water pressure occurs due to mineral deposits, corroded valves, or misaligned pipe fittings. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use wrenches, shower valve testers, and Teflon tapes to deal with inconsistent shower pressure. Plumbers use shower valve testers to determine the water pressure before they start working.

They then use must-have plumbing tools like wrenches to tighten the loose showerhead fixtures to the main pipes. This reduces or seals the air gap, restricts water from leaking out, and reduces the chances of low water pressure. 

After tightening the showerhead fixture or replacing it with another one, they use Teflon tapes. These tapes seal the gaps between the showerhead and pipes, which restricts water leakage and prevents a reduction in water flow. 

10. Hidden Plumbing Layouts

When plumbers visit a new home, they find it challenging to navigate the layout of these places. 

Modern Plumbing Tools Solving this Problem

Plumbers use wall scanners, acoustic leak detectors, and thermal imaging tools to help them navigate plumbing layouts. 

The wall scanners are useful in detecting pipes of various materials, as well as other objects like wood near them. They use these devices to determine what kind of pipes they’ll be dealing with and get a sense of the layout as well. 

Acoustic leak detectors are specialty plumbing tools that allow plumbers to detect the source of the leaks accurately. You can find AI-powered leak-detecting tools now as well. By detecting the exact location of the leaks, plumbers can fix the leaks in time. 

Finally, thermal imaging tools help plumbers detect where the hot or cold water pipes and so on are present. These pipes show as reddish-orange and bluish-purple, respectively. 

So, at a glance, here’s wrapping up with a table:

Table: Understanding Which Tools Solve Which Plumbing Problems

In Summation

Modern plumbing tool kits help plumbers save time, reduce unneeded effort, and help them streamline their operations. That’s why opting for the right kind of tools as per the issue is important.

Looking to Upgrade Your Plumbing Toolkit?

Explore our collection of modern plumbing toolkits designed for real-world plumbing challenges today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Can I Fix Low Water Pressure With Just a Wrench?

Ans. Yes, you can fix low water pressure with a plumbing hand tool like an adjustable wrench. It will help you apply pressure to loosen tight pipes and allow water to flow normally. This will improve the water pressure

Q.2 Are Powered Augers Worth It for Small Plumbing Businesses?

Ans. Yes, while powered augers or drain snakes can seem expensive at first, they are a worthwhile investment. That’s because the long-term benefits of efficient stubborn clog clearing will help your plumbers work more houses daily.

Q.3 What’s the Difference Between a Manual and a Powered Pipe Threader?

Ans. You need to operate manual pipe threads by hand or with manual force. However, using these plumbing hand tools means you can only work a few jobs daily. On the other hand, a powered pipe threader utilises electricity or hydraulic force to create threads on pipes. These devices allow you to work multiple jobs daily, boost your efficiency, and solve many plumbing challenges.

Q.4 How Do Inspection Cameras Help in Pipe Repair?

Ans. Inspection cameras help plumbers see inside drains to detect the source of pipe obstructions or leakages.